Process for making containers from paper pulp and apparatus therefor



Sept. 18, 1945. a I MQCDONALD ,385,

5 FROM PAPER PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR s Sheets-Sheet 1 PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINER Filed Aug. 21, 1939 R. E. M =DONALD 2,385,145

R PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 18, 1945.

PROCESS FOR MAKING C( SNTAINERS FROM PAPE Filed Aug. 21, 1959 RlNVENTOR h! E u, M m

ATTORNEY Sept. 1s, 1.945. R E. MaQDQNALD 2,385,145

PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROM PAPERPULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR I Filed Aug. 21, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 H v l "M W W, 6.

lul w/ 1w. 4 INVENTOR' R E. M DONALD 2,385,145

PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Sept. 122., 1945.

Filed Aug. 21, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY R. E. M DONALD 2,385,145 PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP AND APPARATUS Ii'lEREFOR Sept 18, 1945'.

Filed Aug. 21, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1945. R. E. Ma DONALD I 2,385,145 PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 21, 1959 a Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1945. MaCDONALD 2,385,145

PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 21, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 ATTORNEY Sept. 18,. 1945. MacDONALD ,38

PROCESS FOR MAKING CONTAINERS FROMPAPER PULP AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 21, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 31. v m mufiml Maw? 5% v ATTORNEY Figures 3a, 3b

- position. Figure 4 is.

Patented Sept. 18, 1945 PROCESS FOR PAPE PULP Raymond E. MacDon pole, Mass.

MAKING CONTAINERS FROM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR aid, signor of one-half to Edwin M. Warwick,

Westwood, Mass., as-

Wal-

' Application August 21, 1939, Serial No. 291,146 31 Claims. (Cl. 9256) This invention relates to a process for making a paper container with an integral bottom and side structure from paper slush or liquid pulp or the like, and apparatus therefor, and the product resulting therefrom.

My principal object is to make a container with an integral bottom and side structure of said liquid paper pulp that will have the necessary consistency and firmness'required to permanently maintain its shape and which will be practical for commercial use. To accomplish this object I provide a new and novel process of manufacture, and new and novel apparatus to do the manufacturing.

Another object is to provide new devices for use in my apparatus such as an expanding memher and a retainer receptacle, and which are capable of other uses than those described herein.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a process of manufacture, and by apparatus of a construction, combination and operative arrangement of In the drawings:

Figure 1 is afront elevational view of my apparatus with which a paper container is made from paper slush or liquid pulp, but without the retaining-receptacle thereon and without the expanding device thereon, and Figure 2 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, but on a slightly reduced scale.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the screen former. partly broken away, on which the container blank and 3c are plan views showing three bafiles used in said former in disassembled a plan view of said screen form and Figure 5 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view partly broken away, and part1; in section, of a retainer receptacle adapted to receive and hold said container blank while it is being shaped and sized to its finished form. Figure 7 is a plan view of receptacle and Figure 8 is a bottom said retainer view of the shaft that rotates said retainer receptacle.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of one section of an upstanding holder screen to which said blank is transferred,

showing it disassembled from said retainer receptacle in which it is used, Figure 10 is a plan view and Figure 11 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, and broken away, showing a. portion of said retainer receptacle to illustrate the air ducts therein.

Figure 13 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, and partly in section, of the sleeve holder that holds said retainer receptacle during the shaping and sizing operations on said blank. Figure 14 is a plan view of said sleeve holder and Figure 15 is a bottom View thereof.

Figure 116 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of a supporting base for the driving mechanism that rotates said retainer receptacle. Figure 17 is a plan view of said supporting base and Figure 18 is a bottom view thereof. Figure 19 is an enlarged, sectional, detail view of the slip joint shown broken away in the lower portion of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of my expanding device which shapes and sizes said blank to its finished form. Figure 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 2l-2i is first formed of said slush,.and

of Figure 20 and Figure 22 is a longitudinal sectional viewshowing the bottom housing for said expanding device separately.

Figure 23 is a plan view of the lower or upper horizontal supporting plate of the expander member, both being similarly constructed.

Figure 24 is a plan view of the lifting yoke used in my expanding member.

Figure 25 is a plan view of the tool holder that holds my expander member.

Figure 26 is a front elevational view of a hollow shaft connector that extends into said tool holder and that connects with the shaft that rotates the expander member rolls, Figure 2'7 is a plan view and Figure 28 is a bottom view thereof.

Figure 29 is a front elevational view, partly broken away and in section, showing a portion of the tool holder and the horizontal drive pulley above it, and the shaft connector that drives the expander member shaft.

Figure 30 is a portion ofthe expander member and the gears by means of which the expander member rolls are rotated.

Fig. 31 is a front elevation view, partly broken awayand Partly in section, of a finished, paper tamer fitted with a metal liner L.

As illustrated, my apparatus has a main frame 2|, at one side of which is provided a separate roplan sectional view of an upper usual cord or wire 59.

tatable tank 28 to hold the paper slush or liquid pulp P that is preferably kept agitated, into which tank a former F extends and on the outsldebottom and side wall of which said pulp P is sucked to flrst form the container blank B that is shown broken away on side formerF in Figure 3 of the drawings. Said former F consists of a center rod on which are mounted two intermediate baflle plates 29, a top baiile plate 39 and a bottom baille plate 3|, which baille plates are spaced apart from each other and held to said center rod 29 by pins 32.- Said baiile plates 29, 39 and ii are provided with holes 33a, 33b and 390 respectively of different sizes as shown in the disassembled parts of Figure 3 of the drawings, the purpose of said holes being to control'the exhaustion of the air from the interior of said former F so that said pulp P will be deposited evenly on the out:

side of said former at the bottom and side thereof. It will be noted that said holes 93b in said top baffle plate 39 are nearer the center and closer together'tban said holes 33a in the intermediate baflie plates 29, and that said holes No in the bottom baiiie plate 3| are smaller and more numerous and spread throughout said plate 9|, which also has an outside edge that is fluted as at 34 to provide further air Pas ages. It will thus be seen that the air passages provided by said flutes 34 and holes 39a, 33b and Ne tend toward the center of said former F from bottom to top.

The utside of said former F consists of a piece of flne screening 85, such as 24 mesh, which has an integral bottom and side and terminates at the top in a loop 38 that extends downwardly as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, to thereby form a bead portion at the top edge of said container blank, which thicker top edge is especially desirable where said container is to have a screw-threaded cover. nd-

ing wires 39 at the side enclose the parts of said former F, which also has a top member 99 held to said topbaifle plate 39 by rivets 49, which top member 39 has a screw-threaded hole 4| adapted to receive a conduit 44 having a valve 45 and being connected to a vacuum tank 48 which preferably has suflicient capacity to create 12 pounds vacuum per square inch, and which has a drainage valve 41. Extending from said vacuum tank 45 is another conduit 48 which communicates with a compressor 49 of the usual type, extending from which is another-conduit 99, which has a safety valve 5|, and which conduit 59 connects to a pressure tank 52 having a pressure capacity of about 39 pounds, and which is provided with the usual pressure gauge Said compressor 99 has a shaft 54 which extends outwardly and is provided with a pulley 55 on which is a moving belt 56 that extends to a motor pulley 51 that is rotated by an electric motor 58-01 the usual type that is supplied with current coming through the Another conduit 88 havin a valve 85, extends from said pressure tank 52, and to this conduit is attached a flexible hose 84 through which air under about pounds pressure passes to blow the container blank B 01! the screen former F.

as will be later described.

, ,/Above said compressor 49 is a shelf 81 on which another electric motor 88 is'mounted which is supplied with current passing through a wire 89 in the usual manner. Saidv motor 88 has a shaft I 19 which is threaded to operatively connect a worm 11- which in turn connects with a worm ear 12 which in turn is splined as at 14a, said 7 uum passage there are openings M are adapted to receive bol 5 ing flt permits said shaft 14 and said splinefl ia to be moved upwardly to thereby force said receptacle container upwardly sufficiently high to separate castings I33 and screen sections I46 associated therewith, later described, from the hu- 1 ished container R. Another flexible conduit it),

having a valve 11 communicates with said hollow shaft 14 through a slip joint J, so that a vacuum passage from said vacuum tank 48 through said hollow shaft l4 can be established. The

15 lower end of said shaft 14 is fitted into and fixed to a hollow sleeve bearing I8 which has an opening in a boss portion 19 at the bottom to receive the end of a bearing pin 99. Said bearing 19 rotates with said shaft 14, and to establish a vacsaid sleeve bearing 19 as shown in Figure 19 through which water forced out of said container blank also passes to said vacuum tank 48.

There is another motor 88 mounted on said 25 frame 25 that is supplied with current passing through a wire 91. It has a pulley 88 on its shaft on which a belt 89 runs between it and a horizontal pulley 99. A vertical shaft 9| is fixed to said pulley 99 and rotates therewith, being 30 mounted in a bearing 92 forming part of 8. rectangular supporting base 93 for the upp r structure of my apparatus. Mounted on splines 96 that are fixed to said shaft 9| is a loose pulley which is adapted to move up and down on said splines 98. The upper end of said shaft 9| is rotatably mounted in a rectangular top member 98. A belt 91 extends from said pulley 95 to a larger drive pulley 99 fixed to a shaft connector 299 later described.

A connecting fork m is attached at its forked ing collars l92 that slide on vertical rod I99 that 45 is mounted in said supporting base 93 and said top 50 two boss portions I91 at the bottom to strengthen said holders Q95. A central hole i98 extends through said tool holder I95 and is adapted to receive a connector shaft 289 later described. Outside of said hole I98 are threaded holes I99 which ts i990 that extend 599 in a frame 259 and top 29f later described, whereby said expanding member i5! is removably connected to said tool holder 695. Two long screws H9 screw-threadedly engage said sleeves I99. Collars I I I hold said screws M9 in position. on each said screw I I9 is a bevel gear H2 fixed thereto which meshes with another bevel gear l I3 which is fixed to a hand wheel Immediately upon its formation the said moist container blank B while remaining on said former F is placed in a retainer receptacle I29 which fits into a sleeve holder ill which is held firmly in place by acircular frame I22 having a bottom 7 flange i2; in which holes I24 are formed through which bolts 5 extend and into a pedestal E28 that serves as a support for the above. Said container blank B is blown off said former F by a blast of air passing through said flexible hose 5 84 immediately after it it placed in said retainer provided in.

receptacle I20 and said former F is removed therefrom.

Connected to the lower portion or bottom I3I of said retainer receptacle I20 is a threaded, hollow, multiple fitting I30 which is held thereto by a sweat band I32, said fitting I30 connecting at its lower end to said hollow shaft 14. Said retainer receptacle lower portion I3I has an opening I 3 la therethrough in communication with the main opening I30a of said multiple fitting I30 which has four branch openings I30b extending laterally therefrom. The main portion or body of said retainer receptacle I20 consists of four castings I33 that are strengthenedby rib I33a and I33b. ,Each said casting I33 has a central opening I36 which communicates with said multiple fitting branch openings I30b by means of four flexible conduits I34 each of which communicates with a said branch opening I30b. In each said castings I33 are two separate verticalair ducts I36a, which are in communication with said openings I36 and with vacuum chambers I38 formed in said castings I33. Each said casting I33 has a hinge portion I40 and there is a hole I4I that extends through said hinge portion I40 and through said retainerreceptacle bottom I3I into which a pin I42 slidably fits. Each said casting I33 opens outwardly, thereby pulling away from the finished pulp container R after the retainer receptacle I20 is lifted upwardly in said sleeveholder I2I, which may be done by forcing said hollow shaft 14 upwardly against it. a

Said retainer receptacle lower portion I3I has upstanding teeth I43 that support a bottom screen I45 which provides a bottom for four said side screen sections I46 each of which is sweated to a said casting I33, so that each said side screen section I46 opens independently and outwardly together with a said casting I33 to thereby break the adhesion of said container blank B to said four side screen sections I46. In said castings I33. are lateralchaunels I43 which extend around the four said sections I33 and communicate with said air ducts I36a, which channels I48 provide space between said screen sections I46 and the outside of said castings I33 so that air withdrawn from said channels I48 creates a vacuum inthe space surrounding the outside of said screen sections I46.

An expander member I55 enters the container blank B and while in the interior thereof it expands against the interior surface of said blank, and pressure rolls I53 force the material forming said blank outwardly until said blank B has a predetermined internal size. Said expander member I55 has a bottom housing I56 in one piece, three separate expanding rotatable rolls I58 that extend into and are movable in said bottom nousing I56. Tie rods I53 extend into holes I60 in said bottom housing I 56 and are driven into a horizontal supporting plate I33, later described, to thereby hold said bottom housing I56 in place. Locking pins I6I in holes I62 formed in said bottom housing I56 hold said tie rods I53 in place. Said rolls I53 rotate in the same direction as said retainer receptacle I20, and at the same surface speed of rotation, whereby a said roll I58 makes several complete revolutions in the same time said retainer receptacle I20 makes one revolution.

Formed in the lower portion of said bottom housing I56 is a recess" I65 into which a wiper member I66 movably extends, being pivotally fastened by "a pin I61 driven into said bottom housing I56 that permits an'arcuate movement of -said w er ember I66. Said wiper member I66- has a lip I 63 and has a hole I63 extending through the" body of said wiper I66 through which a stud shaft I12 fixed to the bottom of a said roll I58 passes and extends below into a recess I10 in said bottom housing I56 which is longer than said hole I63, as shown in Figure 22, to permit said stud shaft I 12 at the bottom of a said i-oll I53 to move sidewise therein when said roll I53 are moved outwardly in the expanding movement of said expander member I55. Only one said roll need have said wiper member I66 associated with it, which wiper remains in fixed position except that it makes an arcuate movement outwardly when the said roll I53 that it is associated with is moved laterally. The two other said rolls I53 have slightly shorter stud shaft I12 inasmuch as the said recesses I10 are not quite so far down in said bottom housing I56 because there are no wiper members I66 therein.

A central actuating rod I15 slidably fits into a hole I16 in said bottom housing I 56. Near the lower end of said actuating rod I15 a cone memher I I1 is fastened thereto by a pin I13. Said a cone member I11 rests on a seat I13 formed in said bottom housing I56. A wider portion of said cone member I11 normally extends below said three rolls I58 and overhangs a portion of said rolls I53 as shown in Figure 200i the drawings .so that any upward movement of said actuating rod I 15 helps to force said rolls I53 outwardly.

I55 has a horizontal that is supported by Said expander member lower supporting plate I33 said tie rods I56 as previously explained, and the tops of said rolls I53 terminate against the bottom of said supporting plate I 33. There is also a horizontal upper plate I84 similar to said plate I33, supported by vertical columns I35 which are fastened to said lower and upper supporting plates I33 and I 34 by screws I36 extending through holes I86a in said plates. Dowel pins I83 are driven into holes I38 in said plates I33 and I 34 and extend into said columns I85, to prevent any lateral movement 01 said columns. Said supporting plates I83 and I34 each has a central hole I33 into which said actuating rod I15 slidably extends.

There are vertical journal members I30that are adapted to be moved laterally which have bottom corner recesses I3I and have overhanging portion I 32 directly above them as shown in Figure 20 of the drawings. In each said journal member I90 are three horizontal holes I33 extending into a boss 194 formed insaid journal member I90 into which guide rods I35 extend and are fixed therein by pins I96. Said guide rods I35 rods I35 and bearagainst said journal member boss portions I34 at one end, and bear against an interior portion of said columns I35 at said counterbore holes 202 atthe other end. Said springs 205 are compressed when said rolls I53 are forced outwardly, and when pressure on said rolls I53 is released said springs 205 automatically tend to return to normal position.

Two cone members 2I0 fixed on said actuating rod I15 and spaced apart have an upper, smaller portion that normally extends between said overhanging portions I 92 as shown in Figure 20 of the drawings, so that any upward movement of said actuating rod I 15 spreads said journal members I30 outwardly and inasmuch as each has a shaft 2l5 that revolves therein and is fixed in holes 200 terminate in gears to said shafts 223;

Fixedly mounted on said actuating rod I is a lifting yoke 229 having a central boss portion 238 in which is a hole 23I through which said actuating rod I15 extends and is fixed thereto by a pin 228. Said yoke 229 has three arms 232'each having a boss extension portion 233 with a hole 234 therein through which a lifting rod 231 extends that is fixed to said boss portion 233 by a set screw 236 being fixedly held by a spring tension bushing 238 that is held in position by a set screw 238. Said lifting rods 231 slidably extend through holes 242 in said lower supporting plate 583. Extending around the top portion of said lifting rods 231 are spiral springs 243 which bear against said bushings 238 at one end, and bear against said upper supporting plate I84 at the other end, thus insuring the automatic return of said lifting rods 231 to normal position when pressure on them is relieved. Said plates I83 and I84 each have three longitudinal slots 245 similar tosaid recesses I18 previously described ,to permit lateral movement of said shafts 2I5 that carry said rolls I58.

Said lifting rods 231 normally extend a predetermined distance below said lower supporting plate I83 so that when said expander member I55 enters the container blank 15 and is some distance from the bottom thereof saidrods 231' strike the top of said sleeve holder I2I thereby forcing said rods upwardly which in turn raise said lifting yoke 229 fixed to said rods 231 and which in turn raise said actuating rod I15 fixedto said yoke 229 thereby carrying said cone members 2I8 and I11 upwardly which force said rolls I58 laterally outward, said journal members I98 likewise moving laterally outward and compressing said springs 285. Said recesses I18 and slots 245 permit this laterally outward movement of said stud shafts I12 fixed on said rolls I58.

Said expander member I55 has an upper frame 258 that is held to said column I85 by said screws I86 and it has a top I held thereto by screws 7 253. A central solid drive shaft 255 rotatably receptacle I28.

extends through said top 25I and is fixed to an intermediate drive ge'ar 251 that meshes with and drives said gears 225 as illustrated in Figure 30 of the drawings.

A shaft connector 268 consists of a round portion 26I having an opening 262 to receive said shaft 255, and has a rectangular portion 264, said round portion 26I extending through said tool holder central hole I88 while said rectangular portion 264 extends into said drive pulley 99 and is held rigidly therein bya set screw 265 so that said shaft connector 268 is rotated with said drive pulley 99. Said drive shaft 255 extends into said hole 262 and is held fixed therein by a set screw 261, and rotates with said shaft connector 268.

The process of making containers from liquid pulp or similar moist material and the operation of my apparatus is as follows:

The former F is inserted into said tank 26 which is rotated to insure more even distribution of said pulp on said former F, or said former could itself be rotated to accomplish thispurpose. The motor 58 operates to exhaust said vacuum tank 46 by means of said compressor 49 that is in communication with said vacuum tank 46 and which is driven by said motor 58 through belt 56 as previously explained. The vacuum thus created upon opening said valve 45, sucks said liquid pulp around the outside of said former Fat the side and bottom-as previously explained, and the hollow container blank is formed thereon with integral bottom and side structures. Said former F is unscrewed from said conduit 44 and while the pulp container blank B is still soft and 'moist it is placed in said retainer receptacle I28 shown in Figure 6 of the drawings extending into said screen sections I46. Said valve is closed and said valve 11 is opened to permit withdrawal of air fromsaid retainer receptacle I20 which holds said container blank B in shape and firmly its outside surface and prevents it from rotating independently of said retainer Upon opening said valve 65 a blast of air passes through conduit 63 and through Said lifting rods 231. terminate at their upper ends at a point spaced from the bottom of said upper supporting plate I84 when in normal position, their exact location depending upon the position of said rods 231 in said boss extension portions 233. When it is desired to limit the lateral expansion of said rolls I58 said set screws 236 are loosened and said lifting rods 231 are pushed upwardly in said boss extension portions 233 to the point desired with the result that said lifting rods 231 do not contact the'top of said sleeve holder i2l as soon during the downward movement of said expanding member, which in turn limits the lateral movement of said rolls I565 thereby determining the thickness of the wall of said container blank B. To increase-the lateral expansion the opposite steps are taken.

The distance or extent that said expander member I enters said container blank B is determined by the distance between the bottom of said lower supporting plate I83 and the bottom surface of said bottom housing I56. When said lower supporting plate I83 contacts the top of said sleeve holder I2I the movement of said expander member I55 downwardly stops.

said flexible hose 54, andis directed into the interior of said former F to thereby force said container blank B ofl said former F. whereupon said former F is withdrawn, leaving the blank B in said retainer receptacle I20. .The force of the vacuum in the interior of said retainer receptacle and surrounding said blank B draws said blank onto said bottom screen I45 and said screen sections I46 all four of which are in said sleeve holder I2I and held together to thereby form a round screen container enclosing said blank B. This screen container is only slightly larger than said former F to permit the latter to slip fit therein. The blast of air is supplied from said pressure tank 52 and comes through said conduits 63 and 54 as will be'clear from Figure l of the drawings.

While said blank B is firmly held at its Outside surfaceon said screen sections I46 and bottom screen I45 by the force of vacuum which also draws water out of said moist blank container B into said vacuum tank 46, said expander member I55, which is removably fastened to said work holder I by bolts I09a, is moved downwardly and enters said container blank B by turning said hand wheel H5 whichactuates said bevel gears I I2 and H3 to thereby slide said work holder I85 carrying said expander member I55, down on it) rotate as said expander member said screws I I0. Said motor 86 now drives through intermediate power transmitting members the said pulley 99 which in turn rotates said shaft connector 200 and said expander member shaft 255 which in turn rotates the said three rolls I50 through said gear 25'! and gears 225 and shafts 2I5. It is preferable to have'said rolls I58 I55 enters said container blank B and also to have said retainer receptacle I20 rotate at the same time in the same direction, the latter rotation being effected through the hollow shaft I4 which is rotated through gearing to said shaft III that is driven by said motor 60. Said retainer receptacle I20 should preferably make a complete rotation in the same time said rolls I 50 do. When said expander member has partly entered said container blank B said lifting rods 237 contact the top of said sleeve holder I2I in a manner previously described forcing said rods 231 upwardly to whatever extent desired, causing said rolls I58 to move laterally against the interior wall structure of said container blank B a predetermined distance all depending upon how much the interior surface of said container when it is separated-from said former F may be thick, and after said expander member has II and 12 operatively connected thick. The water that has been squeezed out of it passes through said air ducts or passages I48,

I38a, I36, I34, I30b and hollow shaft I4, and also through openings I3Ia, I30a and I301! to said hollow shaft 14 which communicates with said vacuum tank 46 as previously explained, fromthe flat bottom structure of said finished container R, as shown in Figure 31 of the drawings. The bottom of said expander member ISSpresses down against the bottom of said container blank B to a predetermined extent that compresses the bottom of said container blank B more than the side, thus making said bottom thinner and more compact. The bottom may be only /32" thick as compared with a thickness of 3 2"- of the side. Said arcuate portion U is likewise about 3%" thick. To lift the expander member out of the finished containerR said hand wheel H5 is rotated which relieves the tension on said springs 243 and said springs 205 whereby the moving parts of said expander member return to normal position.

; Said hollowshaft I4 is then pushed upwardly to force said retainer receptacle I20 partly out of said sleeve holder I2I sufficiently to permit said screen sections I46 and associated castings I33 to be opened outwardly on said hinge Dins I42, which is done, to thereby separate them from the finished container R, which is taken out and dried, and may be fitted with a metal liner L of aluminum or the like or may be plated or treated with some substance or chemical desired, to render it waterproof.

It is not necessary to have a slush or pulp tank composition if 20 connected to my apparatus, as it can be disassociated therewith inasmuch as my a paratus is principally concerned with the finishing or downwardly 5 processing of the container blank B after it has been formed on the former F.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank made of said pulp, an expander member embodying a separate laterally moving expanding portion normally adjacent the outer surface of said member, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander to move downwardly into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving portion of said expander member laterally outward to thereby cause said portion to bear against the interior surface of said container blank when in said receptacle means cooperable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter, and means to positively rotate said laterally moving portion.

2. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprisin a rotatable retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank made of said pulp, means to rotate said receptacle about its axis, an expander member embodying a separate laterally moving portion, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander member to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving portion of said expander member laterally to thereby cause said portion to bear against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter and means to rotate said expander member laterally moving portion.

3. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a rotatable retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank made of said pulp, supporting means therefor, means, to rotate said receptacle about its axis, an expander member embodying separate roll means adapted to rotate and to be moved horizontally outward to thereby enlarge said expander member, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander member and roll means to move into a roll means.

paper p lp.

retainer receptacle, said expander member coml prising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said roll means horizontally outward to thereby cause said roll means to bear against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said movabl'e means to effect actuation of the latter and means to rotate said 4. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a rotatable retainer receptacle adapted to hold a of said pulp, means to rotate said receptacle about its axis, an expander member embodying a plurality of rolls adapted to be moved laterally and to rotate, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander member and rolls to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said rolls laterally to thereby cause said rolls to bear against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter and positive driving means to rotate said rolls.

5. Apparatus for making containers from moist comprising a retainer receptacle container blank madeadapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, an expander member embodying a laterally movmeans adapted to cause a pander member blank While the ceptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said portion of said exto move into a said container I laterally moving portion of said expander member and said wiper member laterally to thereby surface of said container blank, and-means co'perable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter.

6. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, an expander 'member embodying laterally movable and rotatable rolls, a wiper'member at the lower portion thereof means operably connecting said wiper member with one of said rolls to cause lateral movement of said wiper member with said roll, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander member to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving rolls and said wiper laterally to thereby cause said rolls and wiper member to tainer blank, means cooperable with said movable means to effect actuation of the, latter and means to rotate said rolls. a

'1. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, an expander member embodying laterally movable and rotatable rolls, a wiper member at the lower portion thereof and in operable association with one of said rolls during lateral movement thereof, means adapted to cause a portion of said expander member to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving rolls and said wiper laterally to thereby cause said rolls and wiper member to press against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said-movable means to effect actuation of the latter and means to rotate said rolls and means to hold said wiper from rotating while said roll it is associated with is rotating.

8. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer f receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, means embodying a conduit in communication with said receptacle and a source of suction whereby sufficient force is created on the outside surface of said container blank while in'said reposition while pressure is applied on its interior surface, an expander member embodying a separate movable upright roll, means adapted to cause to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle; said expander 7 member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving roll of said expander member laterally while retaining its upright position to thereby cause said portion to press against the interior surface of said container blank, and means coable portion, and a wiper member at its lower portion in operable association with said portion,

press against the interior surface of said conceptacle to hold its external shape and hold it in' p p r p p.

latter is in said retainer re- I cause said portion to press against the interior operable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter.

9. Apparatus for making containers from moist comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, and having air space between its outside surface and the portion adapted to receive said container 'blank, means adapted to hold said container blank in position while pressure is applied on its interior surface, an expander member embodying a plurality of laterally movable and vertically extending members at its outer portion, means above said laterally moving members adapted to cause a portion -of said expander member and said movable members to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, said expander member embodying movable means above said laterally moving members adapted upon actuation to move said laterally moving members outwardly to thereby cause said members to press against the interior surface of a said container blank, and means cooperable with said movable means to efiect actuation of the latter.

10. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a, retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, means adapted to hold said container blank in fixed position in said receptacle while pressure is applied on its interior surface, an expander member embodying three laterally movable rolls,

means adapted to cause .a portion of said expander member to move into a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer recep tacle, said expander member comprising movable means adapted upon actuation to move said three rolls outward laterally to thereby cause said portion to press against the interior surface of a said container blank, and means cooperable with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter.

11. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, said receptacle embodying a screen portion and an outer member associated with and havin portions spaced from said screen portion to thereby provide air space between said screen portion and said member, and having a passage for the escape of-air in communication with said air 1 space, means to withdraw air from said air a portion of said expander member and said roll space and out of said passage, an expander member embodying laterally movable and rotatable means and means to cause rotation thereof, movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable means to move laterally to thereby press said laterally movable means against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said movable instru'mentalities to effect actuation of the latter, and means to move a portion of said expander member vertically into and out of a said container blank while the-latter is in said retainer receptacle. I

12. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, said receptacle embodying a plurality of screen sections and outer members in association therewith having portions spaced from said screen sections to thereby provide air space between said screen sections and said outer members and having a passage for the escape of air in communication with said air space, means to withdraw air from said air space and out of said passage,

. tion to cooperate with -cause lateral movement of said an expander member embodying laterally movable and rotatable means, means to cause rotation of said last mentioned means, movable in' strumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable means to move laterally to thereby press said laterally movable means against the interior surface of said container blank, means cooperable with said movable instrumentalities to effect actuation of the latter, means to move a portion of said expander member vertically into and out of a said container blank while the latter is in said retainer receptacle, and means to rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow rotatable shaft in communication with said passage.

13. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer recepta cle adaptedto hold a container blank of said pulp, a hollow sleeve adapted to receive said receptacle, an expander member embodying laterally movable and rotatable means and mechanism adapted to cause positive rotation thereof, movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuasaid hollow sleeve to cause said laterally movable means to move laterally to thereby press said laterally movable means against the interior surface of said container blank, and means to move a portion of said expander member vertically into and out of a said container blank while a said blank is in said retainer receptacle.

14. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, an expander member adapted to enter said receptacle embodying laterally movable and rotatable means and means to cause rotation thereof, movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable means to move laterally, said instrumentalities embodying lifting rod means so positioned withrelation to said hollow sleeve that downward movement of said expander member brings said lifting rod means into contact with said hollow sleeve to thereby force said rod means upwardly and actuate said instrumentalities to means. I

15. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, an

expander member adapted to enter said receptacle embodying laterally movable and rotatable means and means to cause rotation thereof, movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable means to move laterally, said instrumentalities embodying a plurality of-lifting rods positioned directly above a top portion of said hollow sleeve so that downward movement of said expander member brings said lifting rods into contact with said hollow sleeve top portion to thereby force said rods upwardly and actuate said instrumentalities to cause lateral movement of said laterally movable means. 16. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, cle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, an

laterally movable expander member adapted to enter said receptacle embodying laterally movable and rotatable means and means to cause rotation thereof, vertically and horizontally movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally laterally, .said instrumentalities embodying vertically moving lifting rod means so positioned with relation to said hollow sleeve that downward movementof said exouter member associated moist paper p p,

pander member brings said lifting rod means into contact with said hollow sleeve to thereby force said rod means upwardly and actuate some of said instrumentalities horizontally to cause lateral movement of said laterally movable means.

17. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, said receptacle embodyin a screen portion and an with and having portions spaced from said screen portion to thereby provide air space between said screen portion and said outer member and having a passage for, the escape of air in communication with said air space, instrumentalities to rotate saidretainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said space, an expander member adapted to be moved into said retainer receptacle embodying a plurality of movable rolls spaced strumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable rolls to move laterally be-' yond the remainder of said expander member, said instrumentalities embodying upwardly moving lifting rods so positioned with relation to said hollow sleeve that downward movement of said expander member brings said lifting rods into contact with said hollow sleeve to thereby force said lifting rods upwardly and actuate some .of said instrumentalities horizontally to thereby cause lateral movement of said rolls.

18. Apparatus for making containers from comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a. hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted. to receive said retainer receptacle said receptacle embodying a screen po and n yond the remainder of said expander member, said instrumentalities embodying vertically moving lifting rods so positioned with relation to said hollow sleeve that downward movement of said expander member brings said lifting rods into contact with said hollow sleeve to thereby force said lifting rods upwardly and actuate some of said instrumentalities horizontally to thereby cause lateral movement of said rolls, and means to hold said rolls in vertical position at all times.

19. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer recepta- 1 member and having a cle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, said receptacle embodying a screen portion and an outer member associated with and having portions spaced from said screen portion to thereby provide air space between said screen portion and said outer member and having a passage for the escape of air in communicating with said air space, instrumentalities to rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said space, an expander member adapted to be moved into said retainer receptacle embodying a plurality of movable rolls spaced apart, vertically and horizontally movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable rolls to move laterall beyond the remainder of said expander member, said instrumentalities embodying an actuating rod carrying cone means, upwardly moving lifting rods operably associated with said actuating rod and so positioned with relation to said hollow sleeve that downward movement of said expander member brings said lifting rods into contact with said hollow sleeve to thereby force said lifting rods upwardly and actuate said cone means and thereby actuate some of said instrumentalities horizontally to thereby cause lateral movement of said rolls.

20. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising a retainer receptacle adapted to hold a container blank of said pulp, supporting means, a hollow sleeve supported on end on said supporting means and adapted to receive said retainer receptacle, said receptacle embodying a screen portion and an outer member associated with and having portions spaced from said screen portion to thereby provide air space between said screen portion and said outer passage for the escape of air in communication with said air space, instrumentalities to rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said space, an expander member adapted to bemoved into said retainer receptacle embodying a plurality of movable rolls spaced apart, vertically and horizontally movable instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to cause said laterally movable rolls to move laterally, said instrumentalities embodying journal members spaced apart laterally and-adapted to move horizontally, an actuating rod carrying a cone member adapted upon actuation of said rod to enter said space between said journal members and force said journal members horizontally outward and vertically moving lifting rods operably associated with said actuating rod and so. positioned with relation to said hollow sleeve that downward movement of said expander member bring said lifting rods into contact with said hollow sleeveto-thereby force said lifting rods upwardly and actuate said actuating rod and said cone members to thereby move said journal members horizontally to thereby cause lateral movement of said rolls.

21. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising means to create a. suction, supporting means, means adapted to re', ceive a container blank supported by said supporting means and having openings therein, instrumentalities to rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said suction means and said openings, means adapted to smooth the interior of a said container embodying a separately movable portion with said movable means to effect actuation of the latter, and positive driving means operably connected to and adapted upon actuation to rotate said portion.

22. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising means to create a suction supporting means, means adapted to hold a container blank supported by said supporting means andhaving openings therein in the interior thereof and having channels in an exterior portion in communication with said openings, instrumentalities to'rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said suction means and said openings, an expander member embodying a portion adapted to enter said retainer receptacle having arplurality of rotatable rolls that are adapted to move outwardly, movable means adapted to move them outwardly, means cooperable with said movable means to efiect actuation of the latter, means adapted upon actuation to move said expander member upwardly and downwardly, and driving means operably connected to and adapted upon actuation to rotate said expander member portionand positive driving means to independently rotate said rolls.

23. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising means to create a suction, supporting means, means adapted to hold a container blank supported by said supporting means and having openings therein, instrumentalities to rotate said retainer receptacle embodying a hollow shaft in communication with said suction means and said openings, a movable tool holder, an expander member embodying a portion adapted to enter said retainer receptacle and having portions adapted to be moved horizontally outward and to be rotated, instrumentalities operatively connecting said tool holder to said expander member, movable means adapted means operably connected to and adapted upon actuation to rotate said expander member rotatable portions.

24. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising means adapted to hold a container blank, an expander member embodying a plurality of vertically extending rolls that are adapted to be moved laterally and to rotate and embodying a housing that forms the bottom of said member and a wiper member connected to one of said rolls and adapted to be moved laterally therewith, instrumentalities adapted to rotate said expander member and said rolls, and instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to move said rolls laterally outward, and means cooperative with said latter instrumentalities to effect actuation of the latter.

, 25. Apparatus for making containers from moist paper pulp, comprising means adapted to hold a container blank, an expander member-embodying a. plurality be moved laterally and to rotate and embodying a housing that forms the bottom of said member and a wiper member connected to one of said of rolls that are adapted to in a retainer receptacle rolls and adapted to be moved laterally therewith, instrumentalities adapted to rotate said expander member and said rolls, and instrumentalities adapted upon actuation to move said rolls laterally outward, means cooperative with said latter lnstrumentalities to efiect actuation or the latter, said housing member having a recess therein to receive a portion of said wiper member.

26. A process in making a paper container from a moist paper pulp pre-formed' container blank comprising placing said blank in a retainer receptacle and while it is still moist, rotating a member against the interior of the side wall of said blank and simultaneously rotating said retalner receptacle.

27. A process in making a paper container from a moist paper pulp Dre-formed container blank comprising holding said blank in a retainer receptacle and while it is still moist in a fixed position, rotating a member against the interior of the side wall of said blank and simultaneously rotating said retainer receptacle.

28. A process inmaking a paper container from a moist paper pulp pre-iormed container blank comprising holding said blank in a fixed position and while it is still moist, rotating a portion of an expanding member against the interior or the side wall of said blank and simultaneously rotating said retainer recepand simultaneously rotating said retainer recep tacle in the same direction as said portion.-

30. A process in making a paper container from a moist paper pulp pre-formed container blank comprising holding said blank in a retainer receptacle in a fixed position, and while it is still moist rotating portions of an expanding member against the interior of the side wall of said blank and simultaneously rotating said retainer receptacle in the same direction as said portions at the same surface speed.

31. A process in the making a paper container from a moist paper pulp pre-iormed container blank comprising placing said blank in a retainer receptacle and while it is still moist, rotating spaced-apart portions of an expanding member against interior portions of the side wall of said blank at points some of which are spaced apart at least 45 degrees from each other, and simultaneously rotating said retainer receptacle.

RAYMOND E. MACDONALD- 

